Improving the work life of workers in the winegrape harvesting industry through PtD

Transcription

1 Improving the work life of workers in the winegrape harvesting industry through PtD In partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

2 AgSafe Mission and Goal Mission: To minimize injuries, illness and fatalities in California s agricultural industry. Goal: To provide employers the tools they need to keep employees safe and healthy while running profitable, successful businesses.

3 AgSafe Scope of Work Education Training Industry Outreach Resource Development Research

4 Project Background Initiated with the California Vineyard Ergonomics Partnership Project Winegrape Growing Industry Napa and Sonoma Counties Spanned Funded by NIOSH under the Community Partners for Health Farming Program Conducted by the University of California, Agricultural Ergonomics Research Center John Miles James Meyers Ed Weber Diana Tejeda Julia Faucett Linda Garcia Michael Tarter Victor Duraj Ira Janowitz Rhonda Smith Florence Morrison Sally Suriano

5 Project Background Participating organizations 3 wineries; 1 winegrape vineyard management Mid-size firms Non-union Participating workers 200 permanent employees; vineyard jobs only Majority Spanish speaking; Mexico national origin $8-10 per hour; piece work

6 Project Background Project included: Health record review Ergonomic analysis of the workers and jobs performed Including farm worker input on core issues and suggestions for solutions Identification of viable solution new winegrape harvesting bin

7 Health Record Review 30 months of records review 194 workers at 3 vineyard companies 29 MSDs defined for 28 workers 435 lost workdays 69% were back injuries From "lifting during harvest Source: Meyers et al Priority risk factors for back injury in agricultural field work: Vineyard ergonomics. J Agromed 8(1):39-52

8 Ergonomic Risk Factors Bending forward up to 90 for long periods Lifting and carrying 20 tubs per hour, at 57 pounds Contact stresses on hands from tub handles High metabolic demands: Average working heart rate of 125 beats per minute Average energy expenditure of 47.7% aerobic capacity

9 Winegrape Hand Harvesting Actions

10 Winegrape Hand Harvesting Actions Stoop Reach Repetitive hand cutting

11 Winegrape Hand Harvesting Actions Lift load

12 Winegrape Hand Harvesting Actions Carry load

13 Winegrape Hand Harvesting Actions Slide load

14 Winegrape Hand Harvesting Actions Source: JM Meyers, et al. Smaller loads reduce risk of back injuries during wine grape harvest. January-March 2006

15 The Solution

16 The Solution

17 The Solution

18 Prevention through Design 10 Years Later California s Wine Industry Circa 2000s CA accounts for over 90% of US wine production Agriculture total value over $2.3 billion Estimated 531,000 acres in wine grapes 3.58 million tons of wine grapes Over 4,600 wine grape growers in CA CA wine industry employs over 330,000 workers annually and $12.3 billion in wages

19 Prevention through Design 10 Years Later Winegrape Growing Industry Napa and Sonoma Counties Reviewing diffusion from Funded by NIOSH Intramural Prevention through Design Program NIOSH Team Members: Elyce Biddle Mike Gressel John Sheehy

20 Project Components Partner planning meeting AgSafe survey 10 years later AgSafe, Agricultural Safety Resource Alliance (ASRA), and Wine Industry Officers of Safety (WINOS) Distributed link via and mailed complete survey to owners/managers Focus groups owners and farm workers Interviews owners and farm workers

21 Survey Results Tub Usage

22 Survey Results When did your company begin providing the smaller tub? How soon after you heard about the smaller tub did you begin providing them?

23 Survey Results Why did you begin providing the smaller tub?

24 Survey Results If the smaller tub is not currently being used to harvest grapes, why not? Have smaller 30 pound tubs Use other tubs Have to buy all new tubs Already have larger tub The bigger tub fits more Tub is too deep and employees tend to put more grapes than our 35# max

25 Survey Results Why are you going to continue providing the smaller tub?

26 Focus Group Feedback Why have the tubs been used?

27 Focus Group Feedback Why have the tubs not been used?

28 Project Observations From Focus Groups and Interviews, determined that PtD diffusion: Occurred with both owners/managers and farm workers Continues today Through: Word of mouth Safety trainings Outreach AgSafe, ASRA, WINOS

29 Project Observations Continued use of PtD was driven by demand from labor Modifications for improved use of PtD developed by labor Employee satisfaction and morale integral in management decision-making paradigm

30 The Future Tub Improvement Focus group and survey feedback: PVC pipe handle modifications Tub manufacturer buy-in?

31 The Future Other Industry (Commodity) Use Olives Table Grapes Raisin Grapes